The last couple of weeks in the Twin Cities have felt like that late-winter stretch where everything starts happening at once again. We went from peak football energy with Super Bowl watch parties all over the cities to Valentine’s weekend taking over restaurants, bakeries, and date-night spots. Even if you weren’t glued to the game, you probably still heard plenty about the halftime show and saw more heart-shaped desserts and prix-fixe menus than you knew what to do with. After a pretty quiet, cold stretch earlier in the season, it finally felt like people were out again.

Now we’re settling into that in-between time of year. Winter’s still here, but the calendar is picking up, cabins are getting booked, and people are starting to think ahead to spring plans, moves, and what they want the year to look like. It’s always around this point that the Twin Cities shake off the deep-freeze mode and things start moving again, both socially and in real estate. So here’s what’s been happening around the cities lately and what’s coming up next.


UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you’ve got options across the vibe spectrum. Brandi Carlile at Target Center brings a big-voice, arena-level night to downtown Saturday, while over in St. Paul the free Waddle Into Action Weekend at Como Zoo leans family-friendly with penguins, conservation activities, and hands-on exhibits. And if winter has you fully over it, the 4th Annual Beach Party at O’Shaughnessy Distilling is basically tropical escapism by way of cocktails and warm-weather energy.

Something for every mood, depending on how February is treating you.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile brings "The Human Tour" to Target Center with special guest The Head and the Heart on February 21.

More info HERE.

Waddle into Action Weekend at Como Zoo

Waddle Into Action is a fun, family friendly conservation weekend celebrating Como’s beloved African penguins while connecting visitors to global efforts to protect these remarkable birds in the wild.

More info HERE.

4th Annual Beach Party

It’s that time again. The O'Shaughnessy Distillery's 4th Annual Beach Party is back on February 20, and they're bringing the tropics for a night of island vibes and tiki cocktails. Throw on your best beach look, sip something tropical, and escape winter for the night.

 

Other Upcoming Events

Omnifest

Few places can tell a story quite like the Science Museum’s Omnitheater. With five different features running back-to-back daily, Omnifest is a celebration of the biggest screen in town. Runs February 26-April 5.

More info HERE.

Winterfest in Stillwater

Winterfest is an annual community-wide celebration for all things winter in Stillwater. There are tons of events for the whole family. Runs through February 23.

More info HERE.

Skyway 5K

This is a first-of-its-kind race allowed inside the legendary Saint Paul Skyway System. one glorious day, you can wind through corridors, sprint above city streets and cruise past familiar landmarks from a whole new perspective - all without worrying about weather, traffic, or potholes. February 28.

More info HERE.

 
 

READY TO BE BACK OUTSIDE?

If you’re ready to get out of the house and lean into winter a bit, there are a couple great outdoor experiences happening around the Twin Cities right now. Whether you’re in the mood for skyline views, cozy setups, or just an excuse to be outside that isn’t shoveling, these are worth checking out while the season’s still here.

Polar Bar at Hewing Hotel

The Hewing is embracing the cold with a brand new rooftop har debuting on January 15 featuring new food and rotating spirits.

More info HERE.

Nordic Village at Four Seasons

A cozy rooftop winter dining experience at Four Seasons Minneapolis, featuring private cabins, craft cocktails by the fire, and an Alpine-inspired seasonal menu.

More info HERE.


MSHSL Girls Hockey State Tournament

The Minnesota State High School Girls Hockey State Tournament takes over Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, where the state’s top teams compete for the championship in one of Minnesota’s biggest winter sports traditions.

More info HERE.



NOTABLE RESTAURANT OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

A few notable restaurant changes happened around the Twin Cities over the last month too. The long-anticipated bakery Dahlia officially opened its brick-and-mortar in Northeast Minneapolis, and Company Bar debuted in Kingfield in the former Petite León space. On the closing side, Hey Y’all Tipsy Taco Bar wrapped up service in Northeast, and St. Paul’s Selby Avenue lost Local Rumor in early February. It’s a quick snapshot of how much the local restaurant scene can shift even in a single month.


As we move through the last stretch of winter and start looking ahead to spring, it’s a good time to take stock of what you want this year to look like too. Whether that’s getting out more around the Twin Cities, trying new places, or starting to think about a move, this is usually when people begin planning their next chapter. If you’re curious what the Twin Cities real estate market is shaping up to look like in 2026, or what your options might be, I’m always happy to be a resource.